How To Cope With Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a common condition affecting the hearing. The term comes from the Latin origin meaning ringing. Despite the name many sufferers describe the sound as a whoosh or hum instead of a ring. Many people affected find the condition distressing and have difficulty with sleep and concentration. This is particularly when there is little background noise to mask the ringing. Here are a few tips on dealing with tinnitus.
- Meditation. Regular awareness meditation can help to deal with the condition by increasing individuals' acceptance of the malady. It can also help with any anxiety or depression which has developed as a result.
- Counselling. Having a good relationship with a counsellor may benefit sufferers of tinnitus. A psychotherapist who knows about the condition can help with development of coping mechanisms. These can reduce the impact on individuals' lives. They may also be able to help with effects such as those mentioned through the techniques they use.
- Masking. Many people who have tinnitus already use masking techniques. Putting on the radio can be enough to cover up the sound and make it unnoticeable. Some people use white noise machines which generates sound good for masking noises. The wide range of frequencies present in white noise make it ideal for this purpose. Some apps are available which produce white noise. The better ones allow tuning of the noise to the tinnitus.
Tips On How To Meditate
Meditation can be used to cope with tinnitus but it also improves your overall quality of life in many subtle ways. Zen meditation is one of many ways of meditating.
Zen meditation lies at the heart of Zen Buddhism. Zen is about acquiring and living by wisdom accumulated through experience. Through meditation the individuals' preconceptions and conditions are put to one side. The practitioner witnesses their surroundings with a pure, clear mind and heightened awareness. This gives insight into the true nature of the self and the world. There are many benefits to meditation; an increase in psychological well-being and happiness being one of the most cited. It can reduce depression and anxiety in some situations.
It helps individuals to side-step their misconceptions about themselves and the world. It allows them to interact with it's inhabitants and their environment in a purer manner. This can lead to better relationships with family and friends, more satisfaction at work and more fulfilment in leisure time. This is aided by reading Zen Buddhist literature about the psychology and practice of achieving these things.
Zen meditation is simple but it is not easy. However, with practice anybody can learn it and benefit from it. It's core essence is to stop thinking whilst fixing attention on one stimulus. This could be the breath, a candle flame, a mantra (repeated word or phrase) or a natural formation.
It is comon for hopeful practitioners to quickly become disillusioned in the early stages. To stop thinking may sound easy, but it's hard to do this for more than about three seconds without practice. What often happens in the early stages is that the frequency of thought is reduced; the time between thoughts becomes longer. This still has the desired effects.
In order to meditate you need 3 things;
1) A time
2) A place
3) A state of mind
The timing of meditation is important. Ideally the meditator needs to be well rested, alert and not under the influence of alcohol, caffeine or a heavy meal. First thing in the morning is ideal. In bed last thing at night isn't the best time because falling asleep is very likely. Some people think that to meditate and to sleep are similar, but actually the two are opposite. As I mentioned above, meditation involves alertness and pure heightened awareness. It is not possible to be aware of the true nature of the self whilst sleeping.
Routine is useful to help you focus. It is a good idea to always meditate at the same time each day, in the same place, and using some familiar props. The same the candle, a favourite crystal, and some pleasant incense will all help.